10. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Postmaster-General why a letter posted on 1st January, 1950, by Miss M. L. Stirrup, of Disley, addressed to a friend in Tasmania, was opened by the General Post Office for Customs and Excise examination; and why has this lady had five similar previous letters opened during the past two years.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsLetters to overseas destinations are liable to be opened at the request of the Customs authorities under he provisions of the Foreign Postal Packets (Customs) Warrant, 1948, Statutory Instrument, 1948, Number 562. If the hon. and gallant Member can let me have any of the envelopes in question, I shall be happy to have inquiry made.
Air-Commodore HarveyThe right hon. Gentleman has not explained why this lady has had six letters opened in succession. Will he give an undertaking that this practice will cease forthwith? Is he also aware that the only political remark that this lady has ever made was that the Labour Government were a meddlesome lot?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read the reply, he will see that I have said that in this matter I have no authority. If the Customs authorities request that a package shall be opened Post Office officials must open the package.
§ Mr. KeelingDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the destruction, which his answer reveals, of the whole tradition of the inviolability of the mails is too high a price to pay for any benefit it gives the Customs?
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsThis is an old-established practice, and not a new thing.
Air-Commodore HarveyAs I have failed to get satisfaction from the right hon. Gentleman, and because of the bad impression this is giving in the British Dominions, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter again on the Adjournment at an early date.